Bhutia to head AIFF technical committee

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been appointed chairman of the All India Football Federation's technical committee, marking the 'Sikkimese sniper's' foray into administration.

Bhutia, who retired from international football in 2011 following the national team's dismal showing in the Asian Cup in Doha, where it failed to win a single match, was the torchbearer of Indian football during a career spanning 16 years.

“He is becoming chairman of the technical committee. The decision was taken by president Praful Patel. Normally, any committee or head of it is formed with the concurrence of the president,” AIFF vice-president Subrata Dutta said.

It was learnt that the 36-year-old's appointment had been finalised at the last executive committee meeting of the All India Football Federation.

Bhutia's appointment means former India international Mohammad Habib has been replaced in the position.

Besides Habib, the current committee consists of former international players such as Habib, Inder Singh and Pradip Chowdhury.

Habib had last year accused the AIFF of making its much-hyped technical committee defunct.

Bhutia scored an Indian record 42 goals from 107 appearances in the national jersey, but is on the verge of being overtaken by current skipper Sunil Chhetri, who is just two strikes behind his former captain.

Under his captaincy, India won the Nehru Cup twice, LG Cup, SAFF Championship three times and the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, which helped the team qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup after 24 years.